Did you remember to come up with an eighty-day plan to entertain your kids for the summer holidays? Ideally your plan is diverse and will include activities to cultivate and foster creativity, fun and intellectual stimulation while attending to the concept of healthy mind in a healthy body. Perhaps you’ve compiled a neat little spreadsheet. I don’t know how to break this to you gently. Let me try the Oreo cookie approach: you’re really good at Excel! Your plan sucks. I like how you smell!
See, there’s an alternative plan out there that the kids have and it probably doesn’t mesh with yours. That “plan” is full of gravity, illogic, and reality-defying ideas that you would never think of. I bring you a visual diary of my kids at home. This was just the first week.
Please tell me some of it is relatable. PLEASE.
Sidewalk Chalk
This used to be my front porch. This used to be my child’s chalk.
Pillow Forts
When building a pillow fort don’t forget to use the heater as a supporting beam (I’m assuming everyone still has their portable heater unit in the living room, right?). Make sure it’s unplugged. Follow the same instructions if you’re building a crime fighting lab because this is what you’re looking at here. You may not know this yet but you’re also looking at a foot.
Walking Like an Egyptian
Culture can be inspiring. Watch my child get inspired as he walks like an Egyptian through one of the more popular rooms at the ROM.
Limbo
Still at the ROM and still struck by inspiration only this time it called for limbo with a lunch tray.
Bubbles
Discovering that mainstreaming it can be fun. As long as you go big.
Inventing New Sports
Swim board tobogganing. God bless their enterprising souls.
Ice Packing
Ice pack. The aftermath and natural evolution of most summertime fun presented here.
Stuffy Tossing
Some harmless stuffy tossing from the top of the stairs. Mom looks bored and shit.
Wii
If you engage in mainstream fun why not jump and give it an edge. As in literally. It can be table or window, or both as demonstrated here.
Monkey Bar Wrestling
The moment of inception of Monkey Bar Wrestling. Monkey Bar Wrestling is no longer with us.
Being Lazy
Even though they seem very vibrant and full of zest my kids also like to rest from time to time. Don’t believe me? Just watch.
Improving Their TV Posture
Because balancing a book on your head is so last week, and even couch posture must be worked on.
Katia is the mother of two boys, a toddler and a preschooler. She is chronically overwhelmed and would like to use this opportunity to apologize for not returning your call/email/text. As someone who both worked as well as stayed at home as a mom she understands the special advantages and challenges that come with each territory. While taking her second maternity leave Katia started fulfilling a lifelong dream to write and make people laugh. (And sometimes cry, which wasn't her dream nor intention.) She blogs about her family on IAMTHEMILK [9] , a Wordpress recommended blog in the Family category. She also gives job search advice on her website Recruiter Mommy [10] but some of her best work can be found on Twitter @KatiaDBE [11].